PACT OF AGGRESSORS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1940, Page 5

PACT OF AGGRESSORS

THREAT TO THE UNITED STATES SEEN BY COLONEL KNOX. INTERNATIONAL BRIGANDS DENOUNCED. (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) LONDON, October 5. The United States Secretary for the Navy, Colonel Knox, said the Japanese-German-Italian alliance was the most serious challenge to the American mode of life in history, reports a Washington cablegram. The alliance, he said, was directed against the United States, which was the largest obstacle in the totalitarian's’ path should Britain fail to stem the tide of tyranny. “International brigands surround the United States, whose destruction would be their greatest victory,” Colonel Knox continued. “Never understanding us, they suppose that our people can be brought under their iron rule. Both as an American and a Navy official I know differently. If a fight is forced upon us we will be ready. We have never lost a war yet. The acquisition of bases from Britain has moved the Atlantic war theatre a thousand miles eastward.” Colonel Knox declared that there were hundreds, even thousands of saboteurs in the United States. Every shipyard, factory, arsenal and powder plant had to be guarded. A Tokio message reports that the Premier of Japan, Prince Konoye, iti an interview at Kyoto, said the question of war or peace in the Pacific depends on “whether the United States and Japan respect and understand each other’s position.” He added that the United States could have the same as a quid-pro-quo. However, no overtures to American concerning this had been planned. “Should the United States refuse and persist in regarding the alliance as a hostile act, there will be no other course than war,” Prince Konoye said: JAPANESE POLICY REPORTED STATEMENTS BY MR. MATSUOKA. AN OFFICIAL DENIAL. TOKIO, October 4. According to a statement, later repudiated, the Foreign Minister, Mr. Matsuoka, said that Japan would be compelled to fight the United States if the United States entered the European war or insisted on the preservation of the status quo in the Pacific. The Foreign Office spokesman, Mr. Suma, said this was a garbled version of an interview Mr. Matsuoka gave to a contributor to the “Liberty” magazine. . The version as reported was as. follows: — “I fling this challenge to America — ‘lf she blindly and stubbornly sticks to the Pacific status quo we will fight, for it is better to perish than to maintain the status quo.’ “Frankly, the Japan-Axis pact is intended to prevent the United States becoming involved in the European war. We all fear that it would then develop into a vital and disastrous conflict which we wish to avoid. “This pact is an eloquent expression of Japan’s wishes, but it is a peace pact and Americans must understand it as such.” Mr. Matsuoka was alleged to have added that Japan could no longer be strangled in her desire to establish a new order of mutual prosperity in East Asia. He declared that England and America had forced the Axis into the use of force in Europe. “Whether or not the European war becomes a world war is purely in the hands of the United States,” he said. “Americans must see clearly the spirit of the tripartite pact, which, candidly, is aimed at them. “Japan will welcome frank and rapid diplomatic exchanges with full understanding, but if the United States continues measures such as the tightening of the embargo she will only further anger Japan.” The Vernacular Press gave prominence to a report that the ActingMinister at Ottawa, Mr. Akira Matsui. had informed the Foreign Office that the Vancouver. Municipal Assembly, for the purpose of oppressing Japanese residents, had decided to close Japanese elementary schools, deport Japanese who violate Canadian laws and also those who are considered to have entered the country illegally, and; urge the prohibition of the entry of new Japanese immigrants. “NO SUCH REMARKS” DECLARATION BY FOREIGN MINISTER. (Received This Day, 9.10 a.m.) TOKIO, October 6. Mr. Matsuoka also denied statements attributed to him, especially that "I flung a challenge to America.” He said: “It is unimaginable that any person in such a responsible position as that of Foreign Minister could have said that. I made no such remarks.” NAVAL RESERVISTS UNITED STATES CALLS UP 27,000 MEN. WASHINGTON, October 5. The Navy has summoned 27,000 reservists, of whom 11 289 are already on duty. The total strength is 235,000. The Navy announced that it was disbanding the three-ship squadrons which had been on duty in European waters since the Spanish war. They were returning to the United States. CONTROL OF SHANGHAI RENEWAL OF JAPANESE I DEMANDS. CONQUEST OF ENTIRE AREA. SHANGHAI, October 5. The “Sinshun Pao” and the “Tairiku Shimpu.” have renewed their demands for the Japanese army of occu- * pation and the Nanking regime to take

over control of the foreign concessions in Shanghai. The “Tairiku Shimpu” demanded that the consular body recognise a fait accompli in Shanghai, meaning that it recognises Japanese military conquest of the entire area. Though no official general order has been issued, Americans who have approached their authorities for guidance have been recommended to evacuate their women and children without delay. The regular commercial means of communication to America is booked to capacity for two months ahead as the result of the sudden rush to evacuate women and children in the last few days.